Electrolytic converter for the transformation of alternating currents into continuous currents.



A. HEINZ.

BLECTBOLYTIO CONVERTER FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF ALT CONTINUOUS OURRBNTS.

VAP11'I[OA'I.`I0N FILED OUT. 22, 1913. Patented May 26 BRN-ATING GURBENTS INTO UNTTED sTATEs PATENT oEEicE ALFRED HEINZ, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

ELETBOLYTIC CONVERTER FOR THE TRANSFORMATION 0F ALTERNATI'NGOUBREN'TS INTO CONTINUOUS CURRENTS. p

Specification of Letters Patent.

Taall whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALFRED HEINZ, citizen of the Republic of France, and residfi l at 2 Rue Tronchet, Paris, in the said Repu lic, engineer, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrolytic Converters for the Transformation of Alternating Currents into Continuous Currents;y

The invention relates to an apparatus -I-. -.:based on theV property possessed by aluminium when it constitutes the electrode of a of special couple arranged in an electrolytic vat, and which property was discovered in 1857 by Buff. The phenomenon noticed is as follows: WhenI a current is caused to pass through an electrolytic vat the electrodes of which are one of aluminium and the other of lead, it is found that the current passes freely when the aluminium electrode is the .cathode (negative pole) and, on the contrary, that the current is obstructed when the aluminium is the anode (positive pole). In order that an apparatus so composed may operate in a continuous manner, yit is necessary for the electrolyte to constantly circulate around the electrodes; if not, polar-v ization and clogging ensue and interrupt the operation.

The arrangementA forming the subject of 'this invention has for its object to insure a constant displacement of the whole mass of liquid from the surface of the electrodes and not a simple up and down movement of such liquid. For this purpose, the converter of the present system is composed essentially of a receptacle containing the electrolyte, in which is immersed a circular electrode of lead alloyed with antimony, which is itself composed of a multitude of small open cells, form, distributed over the entire surface of the electrode; in the central space of this electrode is arranged a cylinder of aluminium constituting the second pole of the couple. It will be understood, that on a current passing through the system, a gaseous disengagement will occur on the surface of the lead electrode, which will producef an immediate displacement of the electrolyte through the cells, so that the liquid surrounding the aluminium will be caused to be displaced and constantly renewed over the entire surface, and that in a direction perpendicular to the diameter.

Patented May 26, 19214. Application filed October 22, 1913. Serial No. 796,659.

No polarization can therefore occur and the converter will operate in a continuous manner. The temperature of the electrolyte will moreover be uniform throughout the massz owing to the ready difusion through the cells.

The accompanying drawing illustrates the detail of a converter constructed according to this invention.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectionl of such apparatus, taken through the vat containing the electrodes and the electrolyte. Fig. 2

is an .elevation of the two concentric'electrodes, the outer annular electrode being partly broken away .in order to show the central electrode more clearly; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of these two electrodes.

As will be seen in the drawing, into the vat a containing the electrolyte b, ythe two electrodes are immersed being suitably supported by or suspended from the exteriorl I supporting plates c, which, in the case of a battery composed of several elements, will conveniently ybe common to the whole of saine. The outer annular electrode, which is fixed to this plate c by means of screwthreaded extensions d fitted with nuts e, is composed of a double grating, of'lead al` loyed with antimony, the vertical bars f of which are preferably of triangular section (see Fig. 3), while the horizontal bars g y may conveniently be in the form of fiat circular rings (see Fig. 2). The whole constitutes a multitude of small cells, open on their two faces, through which the circu-r lation of the liquid occurs. It will be readily understood that this cellular lead electrode may be entirely submerged in the electrolyte b and that when so submerged its construction will of itself insure that the displacement and the circulation of the liquid shallioccur through the cells. The fcentral electrode is composed of a cylinder of aluminium h, which is arranged in the interior of the annular electrode f, g, and

which is also fixed to the supporting plate c by va screw threaded extension 'L' fitted with a nut j. Connection bars 7c provided with terminals l and arranged on the plate c, per- Q noemer mit of the ready connection of the electrodes to the electric circuit in which the apparatus is included. l 1

lit/will be readil understood that instead t o/f/ circular cylin rical electrodes, hat or @ther suitable form of electrodes might be lem loyed.

./ hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. An electrolytic converter for the transformation of alternating currents into continuous currents; comprising a receptacle, two electrodes therein, one of which is of aluminium and the other containing lead l5 and comprising two sets of bars spad apart and fiat stri s connecting all the bars at intervals alon t eir length, thereby form ing a cellular eectrode through which an electrolyte is free to circulate.

2. An electrolytic converter for the trans-` formation of alternating currents into .continuous currents; comprising a receptacle, an'electrolyte therein, and two concentric electrodes one of aluminium and the other of a lead alloy having two concentric sets of'vertical bars held spaced apart by flat horizontal bars forming multiple open cells.

3. An electrolytic converter for the transformation o alternating currents into continuous currents, comprising: an electrolyte receptacle, a central electrode of aluminium arranged in this receptacle; a. peri heral electrode surrounding the former an comosed of two slightly separated ratings, the

ars of one of which overlap t e spaces of the other, and a liquid'electrolyte contained in this receptacle. 4

4. An electrolytic converter for the transformation of alternating currents into continuous currents, comprisin an electrolyte receptacle; a central electro e'of aluminium, arrangedv in this receptacle; a peri heral electrode surrounding the former an composed of two series of vertical alternating triangular bars, the bases of which face each other and which are maintained slightly separated by lar bars; and a liquid electrolyte contained in the said receptacle.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name in presencel of two subscribin witnesses.

ALF ED HEINZ.

Witnesses:

HANsoN C. Coxn, Anolon Fm.

horizontal Hat annu- 

